As we look toward gatherings over the holidays and into the future, the Anti-Racist White Action Group offers some resources that may help you with what might be difficult family conversations. How to Navigate Difficult Conversations During the Holiday Season How to Talk to Your Family About Racism on Thanksgiving Six steps to help you tackle difficult conversations How to navigate difficult conversations with family over the holidays ARWAG is one of the county’s Affinity Groups (also called Employee Resource Groups) that addresses racism and other forms of oppression to advance the county’s equity… Read More

It is common to feel stressed about food and exercise during celebrations, and this often peaks at winter holidays. Balanced You and our colleagues at Public Health want to remind you to be gentle and kind to yourself. The winter holidays and the new year are a great time to take a look at our assumptions and judgments about food, exercise, and our bodies, and to learn more about Intuitive Eating and making peace with food. During the holidays, you can support yourself and others by: Not labeling foods as “good” or… Read More

Cross-posted from Executive Services Express Harborview Medical Center, the people’s hospital, is undergoing a radical campus-wide modernization. Owned by King County and operated by University of Washington Medicine, the medical center will experience dynamic improvements over the next 10 years thanks to King County voters who overwhelmingly approved a $1.74 billion capital improvement bond in 2020. Read more.

King County government offices will be closed Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Click here for Metro Transit holiday bus schedules. If you have questions about your holiday schedule, please speak to your supervisor. Have a safe and healthy holiday.

Our first priority is your safety and security at work, and we are continuing to partner with law enforcement, community, and other governments to ensure a safer, more welcoming environment in and around our facilities. Here’s another tip to help you stay safe. Plan your trip ahead of time and wear clothing and shoes that are comfortable, low profile, and appropriate for the weather. Don’t carry too much and try not to carry anything in your hands. If you carry a purse, carry it close to you, and never carry a wallet… Read More

With holiday gatherings around the corner, it’s important to be up to date on your flu shot and COVID-19 vaccination. King County Public Health officials are noting that respiratory viral infections have increased both locally and nationally. Getting your flu and COVID-19 vaccines now is important to protect you and your loved ones from infection before there are further increases in local respiratory viral activity. Read more from Dr. Eric Chow, Public Health Chief of Communicable Disease Epidemiology and Immunizations.

Cross-posted from Plane Talk Vice-president Kamala Harris and Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States (FLOTUS), both flew in and out of King County International Airport for visits to Seattle recently. For folks who work at the airport, VIP visits, as they are known, can bring mixed emotions and an intense workload. VIPs can include heads of state, sports teams, or other public figures such as members of Congress. It’s a unique situation that few people can say they’ve participated, but also requires the highest level of security. Read more.